Acne is a common skin condition where the hair follicles are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. It causes black heads, white heads and pimples to appear on face, chest, forehead and shoulders.

Causes

• Excess oil production
• Bacteria
• Hormones
• Dead skin cells
• Dirt
• Makeup
• Sweat

Here are 15 bad habits that cause acne and breakouts.

1. Stress
2. Sleeping with makeup on
3. Over cleansing
4. Dirty pillowcase
5. Some foods
6. Popping pimples
7. Makeup on pimples
8. Forgetting to wash face after exercise
9. Using dirty makeup brushes
10. Dirty towels and wash cloths
11. Dirty cell phone
12. Hair products too close to face
13. Following every DIY on YouTube
14. Touching face all the time
15. Some medication

Stress

When we stress and worry, our body naturally produce certain hormones and steroids. These results in our skin producing excess oil that will clog our pores. The presence of bacteria on the face, makes matters worse. The bacteria, Propioni bacterium acnes, is responsible for most acne and breakout cases.

Try stress less, sleep more and have happy hours. MABS provide relaxing Swedish massages and facials at home service.

Sleeping with makeup on

Let’s do the maths. Makeup + Dirt + sweat = big pimple. This trio invite P. Acnes into pores to cause a breakout.

Do not sleep with makeup on, you can try MABS makeup remover and MABS rose toner to remove makeup from your face or try MABS face wash.

Over cleansing

When I wash and wash and wash my face, this leads to my skin drying out.

Most commercial face wash are made with harsh chemicals that can dry out the face. When the skin dries out, the body tries to compensate by producing more oil. These oil will clog pores and cause breakouts. Washing your face twice a day is enough. You can use the MABS facial cleanser.

I have seen people vigorously exfoliating their face with face scrubs every day. This is a bad idea, not only are you tearing your skin and causing scarring, you will also cause more breakouts. If you must do physical exfoliation, once a week is enough. You can use MABS honey scrub.

Dirty pillowcase

We need to wash our pillow case twice a week. Dirty pillow case can introduce dirt and dead cells to our face and cause us a breakout.

If you use hair products like gels, oils and hair masks, it is best you change pillow cases every night to avoid these products getting on the face. MABS provides a range of natural hair products from shampoos to leave on sprays to condition your hair.

Wash towels regularly, to avoid introducing bacteria to the face.

Some foods

Sweet foods and dairy products are known to cause more pimples on the face. You can try stay away from this foods if you suffer from sever acne.

Popping pimples

I love popping pimples as much as the next girl however, it is not really a good idea😣…We risk introducing bacteria to the face or causing skin tear, and/or more oil to be produced.

Makeup on pimples

Applying makeup on pimples is like covering a wild fire with a blanket. It causes bigger pimples to form. Applying makeup on pimples will further clog the pores.

Also, using dirty makeup brushes introduce bacteria to the face and circulate it. It is best to wash makeup tools regularly and not apply makeup all the time.

Dirty cellphone

We are constantly touching our cellphones, it goes every where we go. It is important to clean cellphones to avoid introducing bacteria onto the face. Also, it is best we stop the habit of touching our face. No popping pimples, no touching of face and definitely no touching of other people’s faces.

Medication

There are some medications that can cause acnes, this medications usually work to spike up hormones that cause oil production to increase.

References

• LABeautyologist Youtube
• Health line

Social media platforms show DIYs on how to get rid of acne, eczema and other skin problems. Some of these DIYs are dangerous to use on the face of not done correctly.

When following any DIY, you have to know your skin and what works for your skin. This is important when it comes to amount of a product you keep to your face, how you mix the product and how long the product stays in your face. You have to ensure that you don’t expose your skin to allergies, off normal skin pH et cetra.

Many of this DIYs include both physical and chemical aggression to the regime. It is important to note that simple, natural and safe is the way out. Never put a product on your face without proper research.

Here are 6 products you should never put on your face, below are the reasons.

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. Baking soda
3. Lemons
4. Toothpaste
5. Coconut oil
6. Peel off masks

Before we dive in, let’s state a few scientific facts.

• The skin functions as a protective cover over underlying structures.
• pH of the skin is 6-7.
• Breakouts are caused by imbalances in the physiology of the skin.

1. Apple cider vinegar

Though this product has many benefits, it is not to be used on the face. Vinegars are way too acidic, meaning they throw off the balance of natural skin pH. When the skin natural pH is disturbed, the results is more breakouts, inflammation and hypersensitivity.

Many DIYs put in apple cider vinegar for lowering pH or as an astringent. So a safe way to use apple cider vinegar is by mixing it with an alkaline substance at the correct concentration.

A simple recipe I have used in the past as a face mask is: 1 tsp moringa powder, half tbs natural honey a quarter tsp apple cider vinegar and few drops of vitamin E oil

Disclaimer: Always do a patch test before applying any product on your skin. Just apply in a sensitive area of your skin for a few minutes and see how it reacts.

Instead of apple cider vinegar, one can substitute with disinfected water, rose water or coconut water. You can even play around with watermelon juice or milk.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda, AKA sodium bicarbonate. This product is strongly alkaline. It is used as cleaning agents for the kitchen and bathroom floors. Why on earth will anyone put this on their face?

Baking soda throws off the natural pH of the skin causing more breakouts, scarring, enlarged pores and inflammation.

Baking soda works for teeth whitening, nails softening and even hair cleansing but not on the face ☹️. It’s really dangerous.

For teeth whitening, nail softening and hair cleansing mix in equal part salt and baking soda.

3. Lemons

Lemons belong in water, food and maybe in a photo, definitely not on the face. The use of lemons seem like a good idea because this fruit is rich in citric acid, a known skin lightener. However, Lemons are way too acidic, they will disrupt the natural pH of skin.

Worse, lemons are known to cause photo sensitivity and skin burning when exposed to the sun. Skin darkening, irregular patches, skin hypersensitivity and more breakouts is the result.

If you really want to use lemons, then try it as a face cleanser or a face wash. Do not leave it on your face please.

4. Toothpaste

A lot of people believe in the power of toothpaste as an anti- pimple remedy. Terrible idea. What toothpaste does is, it sucks out all the water in the pimples causing it to shrink however, it does not unclog the pore. This causes another pimple appearance next to or on the original site of the pimple. 

5. Coconut oil

Coconut oil is great on food and hair. It is too dense to be used as a facial oil. Coconut oil will clog your pores and cause more outbreaks. It is not a good facial oil. It is better to use lighter oils like almond oil.

6. Peel off masks

Peel off masks are horrifying. They are so painful to pull off, why exert pain and suffering to yourself ? Do peel off masks work? No. The whole idea of peel off masks is to exfoliate and pull out dead skin, hair and scars on the face. The problem is, Glue is the main ingredient in peel off masks. Glue is made of toxic and harsh chemicals that are not suitable for the sensitive skin of the human face.

Also, peel off masks usually do not unclog pores completely. They merely remove the top layer resulting in bigger pimples and a painful face.

Don’t get me wrong, Face masks are great, just not the peel off ones.

Turmeric, scientifically known as Curcuma Longus, it is becoming widely popular in the cosmetic world today. It contains a bioactive compound, curcumin. Curcumin is responsible for most of the great benefits we get from turmeric.

• Benefits of turmeric
• Uses of turmeric
• Side effects and cons of turmeric

Benefits of turmeric

• Anti-aging since it boost collagen production and lessens its breakdown
• Gives skin an extra glow
• Antibacterial
• Rich in Antioxidants helping it prevent cellular oxidative stress.
• Can help with psoriasis by controlling flares and other symptoms.
• It soothes inflammation, helping to correct skin reactions, break outs and red skin.
• Anti- scarring, it prevent dark spots from developing.
• Clears up break out fast.
• Clears eczema.
• Brightens dark circles under the eyes.
• Slows facial hair growth.
• Lightens skin naturally.
• Heals wound and sores.

How to use turmeric

• It can be used as a mask to reduce breakouts and attack pimples. Mix in 1/2 tsp turmeric with 1 tbs honey. You can add in a tsp of either rose water, witch hazel or apple cider vinegar.
• It can be used as a shower gel or a face wash. 
• It can be used as a lotion and moisturizer by adding it to your lotion, body butter or aloe vera gel
• It can be used as a oil to remove unwanted facial hairs and to lighten skin and armpits, to clear eczema and other skin conditions. 

Side effects of turmeric

• Do not use tumeric if you allergic to turmeric, ginger and other spices.
• Stains fingernails orange, so use a brush when applying the mask or wash your hands very well.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant, not a cactus. It is identified by its spiny edges and its juicy insides. The aloe vera juice is commonly called aloe vera gel.

Aloe vera is known as the Plant of Immortality for many reasons. Let us explore its many benefits.

Benefits of Aloe vera

• Slows aging process
• Increase collagen production
• Improve skin elasticity
• Reduce redness of skin
• Treats Acne
• Natural moisturizer
• Hydrating
• Light texture, 99% water
• Soothes irritated skin
• Perfect for sensitive skin
• Prevents premature aging of skin
• Repairs skin cells
• Fades blemishes
• Removes dark circles and puffiness
• Remove sunburns and irritation
• Prevents dark spots
• Contains lignin, a substance which can enhance the penetrative effect of other ingredients into skin.

This moisturizer comes in green and colourless.

For the best result, use organic aloe vera pressed fresh from the leaves.

Papaya is a tropical fruit packed with vitamin A and C. It is rich in antioxidants making this fruit a super fruit. Papaya has a special enzyme, papain, this enzyme digests dead proteins like those on skin and acne scars.

Papaya soap is a natural gentle soap that can be used all over the body. It can even be used on sensitive skin and baby skin. It has many benefits due to the potent nature of papaya. 

Benefits of Papaya Soap

• Exfoliate skin naturally
• Anti-aging
• Fight inflammation
• Protect against skin damages
• Papain enzyme in the papaya helps digest damaged skin
• Promotes growth of healthy skin
• Stimulate collagen production
• Curbs excess melanin production
• Clears acne
• Clears wrinkles and fine lines
• Helps reduce itching
• Removes dark scars
• Cleans blemishes
• Gives a toned and youthful skin
• Prevents clogged pores
• Lightens skin
• Prevents break outs

Side effects

Do not use this soap if you are allergic to papaya or latex.

Today we will discuss black soaps. If there is ever a silver bullet to correct skin imperfections, it will be black soaps. Black soaps are good on skin for both men and ladies.

Black soaps have been used and trusted for centuries, so bet you can trust it on your skin. It is made of natural ingredients such as plantains peels, Shea butter, cocoa pods and palm oil. These ingredients are natural, making black soaps delicate on your skin. In fact, mothers can use this soap to bath their new born. You can trust black soaps for your skin’s daily routine.

Before I go in deep on the benefits of black soaps, let me fulfil my promise. Last week, I promised to explain the difference between skin brightening and skin lightening. Here we go.

Skin Brightening

Skin brightening aims at giving your natural skin an extra glow. It doesn’t change your shade at all. It truly prevents dull looking skin. It makes you skin look healthy and well taken care of. 

Skin Lightening/ Whitening

Most commercial products use harsh chemicals to achieve this. The results is usually skin reddening or oranging, formation of skin melanomas and light sensitivity. Skin lightening aims at giving you a different skin tone 4 to 10 shades away from your original shade, depending on how light skin you want to be. There is a much safer way to achieve skin lightening without the use of harsh chemicals. MABS products are 100% organic and natural. Our products are delicate on the skin and are very effective. 

Back to black soaps.😏

• Properties of black soap
• Uses of black soap
• How to use black soap

Properties of black soap

• Antibacterial, it kills bacteria that cause acne ( propioni bacterium acnes).
• Anti fungal, it kills fungus like candida albicans and other fungi that cause nail infections.
• Anti- inflammatory, black soaps can be used in cases of rosacea and extreme itching.
• Anti-aging, it prevent loss of collagen.
• Antioxidants, rich in vitamins A and E.
• No harsh chemicals.
• Can be used on all skin types.
• No fragrance
• Exfoliant
• Moisturizing

Uses of black soaps

• Improve skin texture
• Clear acne and pimples
• Remove blemishes and scarring
• Fights hyperpigmentation
• Clears wrinkle and lines
• Minimize appearance of stretch marks
• Soothes itchy and red rashes
• Improve overall skin quality

How to use black soap

• You can use it to exfoliate your skin. Due to its touch texture, it serves as a great exfoliant, just dont scrub too hard.
• Add it in warm water to make it softer or more liquid as a bodywash